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Business Opportunities
Muskingum County benefits from Interstate
70, which passes through the center of the county. Businesses also have
access to rail service provided by four rail carriers. Zanesville Municipal Airport is a class-1
regional airport and features two 5,000-foot runways. There are three publicly
owned industrial parks, which are all fully served by utilities. Each of the
parks is within three miles of an Interstate 70 interchange, one is adjacent
to the airport and another features a rail transfer facility. Muskingum County is one of the most
populated Ohio Appalachian
counties, and its transportation system provides great access to available
workers from surrounding counties like Guernsey, Morgan, Coshocton,
Noble and Perry. The county is also situated just 45 minutes from downtown Columbus and Port Columbus International Airport with access via
Interstate 70.
Business Growth
Business continues to expand in Muskingum County. Last year alone,
there was a $10 million investment in downtown Zanesville. Currently, there
is a need for companies to provide Information Technology (IT) services to
non-IT core companies, such as manufacturers, distributors, and governmental
and educational agencies.
Major Industries
- Wholesale/Retail
trade accounts for 29.4 percent of employment.
- Manufacturing, 24.9
percent
- Services, 23.4
percent
Top Ten Employers
- The Longaberger Company,
7,000 employees
- Genesis HealthCare
System, 2,530
- Zandex Health Care Corporation, 1,100
- AutoZone Distribution Center, 530
- Dollar General Distribution Center, 500
- Lear Corporation,
490
- 5B's Incorporated,
420
- Owens Illinois, 380
- New Bakery Company of Ohio,
350
- AK Steel, 315
Business Potential
Businesses consider the area a prime location because of direct interstate,
rail and air access. The county has a strong workforce that is well trained,
with nearly 18,000 students enrolled in Muskingum County's public and
private schools. Access to quality healthcare in the county, as well as a
pro-business attitude, plays a role in its attractiveness to companies. Muskingum County also has three
prime development sites for large manufacturing and distribution facilities.
To speed along the development process, Muskingum County has established a
state-certified building code department.
Educational Resources
Muskingum College, Ohio University-Zanesville and Muskingum Area Technical College are the county's three
post-secondary educational institutions. The Mid-East Ohio Vocational School District also provides adult
and continuing education. Educational and training opportunities are
plentiful and vary from short-term training in business and technical skills
to master's degree programs. Currently, MATC offers a travel and tourism class
series.
Business Organizations and Initiatives
The Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of
Commerce is a business association of nearly 800 members. The
Chamber provides a variety of business assistance programs to large and small
employers throughout the county. The Chamber works cooperatively with the Small Business Development Center in providing
entrepreneurs with the information and the assistance they need to get
started in business. The Chamber partners with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Port Authority
on a continuous retention and expansion program with the area's largest
employers. Local business associations or community improvement organizations
function in various parts of the county and include the New Concord Board of
Trade, Maysville South Business Association, Dresden Village Association, and
Frazeysburg Revitalization Association.
Convention Facilities
The Zanesville Holiday Inn Convention Center can accomodate up to 350
visitors, Hallowed Hills serves up to 500 and the Muskingum County Welcome
Center can hold up to 400. All three facilities are easily accessible from
I-70.
High-Speed Internet Access
Internet access is provided by a variety of vendors throughout Muskingum County. High-speed
connectivity is available in certain portions of the county from SBC and
through Time Warner's Roadrunner service. Residents and businesses in the
city of Zanesville, the surrounding
townships and a few incorporated villages have access to high-speed Internet.
Tourism and Lifestyle
Muskingum County is rich in
opportunities for sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts who come from far and
wide to enjoy hunting, fishing, boating and athletics. Recreational sports
are some of the community's favorite leisure time activities. Muskingum County is home to three
state parks, several city parks and athletic facilities that offer recreation
for the entire family. In addition, the Zanes Landing Park has a 3.5-mile
walk/bike path along the Muskingum River that connects to Riverside Park, which has soccer,
softball, and tennis facilities as well as an oversized, community built
playground named Kidzville.
History buffs appreciate the dozen historic churches that dot the downtown
landscape. Their architecture and well-preserved stained-glass windows
provide a backdrop to a city that once served as the state capital. The
churches are lit at night and provide a warm welcome to travelers on Interstate
70.
Muskingum is also knows for its rich pottery heritage. Pottery is still made
today in the county and has become a proud symbol of local heritage and
culture. Pottery is such an important part of the heritage that area
communities celebrate every July with Pottery Lovers Week.
From pottery and glassware to furniture and more, some of America's finest treasures
can be found at the numerous antique stores in our area. As the home of The
National Road, the first federally funded highway, as well as several
navigable rivers, Muskingum County was the transfer
point for some of America's most prized
possessions of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Top Five Spots to Visit
- The Longaberger
Company Manufacturing Campus and Homestead
- The Wilds
- The John and Annie Glenn Museum
- The Lorena
Sternwheeler
- The National Road-Zane Grey Museum
Top Five Events to Attend
- Pottery Lovers Week
- Taste of Zanesville
- Gus Macker
- Basket Happening
- Miracle On Main Street
Historic Spots
- The National Road-Zane Grey Museum
- features exhibits about "the Main Street of America" and about Zane Grey,
father of the western.
- John and Annie Glenn Museum - pays tribute to the life
of an astronaut and to growing up in The Great Depression.
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